quicken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "quicken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of making something happen faster or to increase the speed of a process. Example: "The new software is designed to quicken the data processing time significantly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At the flats, rescuers efforts quicken whenever a succession of warm smells and objects signifies life, schoolbooks, bedding, toys.

The Guardian

In July, President Thabo Mbeki appointed a team headed by his deputy, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, to find a recipe to quicken GDP growth and to cut unemployment.

The Economist

An unknown number of patients turn to a black market.The pace of voluntary donations should quicken.

The Economist

Supercell has had success with two bestselling games that are free to download on smartphones and tablets, and then entice users into paying a fee if they want to quicken the pace of play.Blue greensBig industry scored two wins when the European Union moved to water down policies on curbing emissions from cars and planes.

The Economist

OVER the next few weeks, the race to become the next secretary-general of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will quicken.

The Economist

Despite the EU's supposed single market in financial services, persistent national differences in regulation, taxes and accounting treatment not to mention culture—have kept this category small.Now for the catchCertainly, the pace of consolidation may quicken.

The Economist

Despite this reviewer's exhortations, my palms don't sweat, my pulse doesn't quicken and I don't "feel the power and potential for endless fun surging through" me when I enter a party hotel.

The Economist

But in Australia and Poland the think-tank reckons that growth will quicken in each of the next two years.In this section Overview Output, prices and jobs The Economist commodity-price index GDP forecasts Trade, exchange rates, budget balances and interest rates Markets Tuberculosis Reprints.

The Economist

Did the good citizens of Marshalltown imagine that their property taxes (and donations!) would quicken the pace of innovation by way of high-school productions of "Oklahoma!"? I'll be damned if they did.

The Economist

In search of growth, consolidation in developed markets will quicken and insurers will seek to expand in emerging markets, especially in Asia, where insurance penetration rates are low.

The Economist

But her statement, the diplomacy surrounding it and its intended consequences were all obfuscated by a pall of uncertainty, thickened by wildly conflicting interpretations.Two days later, however, an unmistakable drama in the pre-dawn hours did quicken the languishing Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "quicken", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being accelerated or enlivened. For example, "quicken the pace" or "quicken the pulse".

Common error

Avoid using "quicken" when a more precise term like "accelerate" or "expedite" would better convey the specific type of acceleration or improvement intended.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "quicken" is a transitive verb, used to describe the action of making something faster, more active, or more alive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and well-supported by examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "quicken" is a versatile verb that means to accelerate, enliven, or restore vitality. Ludwig AI examples show it commonly appears in news and media, as well as encyclopedic and business contexts. The term is grammatically correct and serves to express the act of making something faster or more active. Related terms include "accelerate", "expedite", and "hasten". While it's generally best to use "quicken" alone, without adding "up", it’s a suitable choice for both formal and informal communication, according to the various authoritative sources found using Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accelerate

This term generally implies increasing the rate or speed of something.

expedite

This term suggests speeding up a process, often by removing obstacles.

hasten

This term implies making something happen sooner or more quickly.

speed up

This is a more informal way of saying to make something faster.

boost

This implies increasing or improving something, often in terms of growth or activity.

stimulate

This term focuses on encouraging activity or development.

revitalize

This suggests restoring energy or vigor to something.

invigorate

This implies filling something with life and energy.

sharpen

This suggests improving the clarity or intensity of something.

intensify

This means to make something stronger or more extreme.

FAQs

How can I use "quicken" in a sentence?

You can use "quicken" to describe making something faster or more lively, as in "The new policy aims to "quicken the pace of innovation"" or "The news made his heart "quicken"".

What are some alternatives to the word "quicken"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "accelerate", "expedite", or "hasten".

Is it correct to say "quicken up"?

While "quicken" already implies making something faster, adding "up" can be redundant. It's generally better to simply use "quicken".

What's the difference between "quicken" and "accelerate"?

"Quicken" can imply bringing something to life or making it more active, while "accelerate" specifically means to increase speed. Though often interchangeable, "quicken" can have a broader, less mechanical connotation.